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www.thevillagenews.co.za
22 July 2020
Feeding time for our ‘tuxedo’ friends, the penguins in the African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary (APSS).
Shark Eco-Tourism and Conservation during Covid-19
Left is Merven Visagie and right Xolani Lawo.
Writer & Photographer Hardus Botha
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o industry has been harder hit than tourism and hospitality and whilst the industry is pushing to reopen boatbased whale watching tours and shark-cage diving on Level 2, Level 3 was just extended,” says Wilfred Chivell, CEO of Marine Dynamics in Gansbaai. Wilfred is determined to weather the storm as international tourism will likely only resume in 2021. ‘’Unfortunately, we have only a small team of people left who are doing our essential research and conservation work, as well as fundraising, and our marine biologists are doing educational talks and remote intern lessons,” he says. “Some of our marketing people are working all hours to attend relevant tourism webinars and to do live shows, as it is important that we continue to stay relevant and market what we do.” Marine Dynamics is based at the Great White House in Kleinbaai and is already following Covid-19 protocols for the onsite restaurant.
They have also prepared a protocol document that has been shared with their travel partners. “Our clients’ safety has always been our priority, and even more so in this challenging time. Unfortunately, we will not fully recover until our borders are open, so whilst we hope to introduce more South Africans to our incredible marine heritage, we do not expect to operate at pre-Covid-19 numbers for some time still.” Wilfred established the Dyer Island Conservation Trust in 2006 and one of its key projects, the African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary (APSS), which opened in 2015, has become a top tourist attraction. More importantly, it is a critical rehabilitation facility for seabirds, with a focus on the African penguin. The dedicated team is at this world-class facility every day, making sure the penguins’ needs are taken care of, especially their morning and
afternoon feed. The hospital and rehabilitation areas, as well as the swimming pools, must always be kept clean. Rehabilitated penguin patients are still able to be released on Dyer Island, and the team is on hand to attend to any penguins in trouble. Just this week the team released four penguins back on Dyer Island. “It’s always a happy moment to release a penguin and know that you are contributing to rebuilding their numbers,” says Wilfred. Marine Dynamics Academy international volunteers and interns, who have the opportunity to learn first-hand from the biologists, all had to leave South Africa, and whilst a full complement for June was expected, these bookings have been held over to 2021. However, guide training is allowed on Level 3 of the lockdown and a small group of locals has just completed a four-week Marine and Coastal Guide Training Course. These courses are endorsed by the Field Guides Association of South Africa (FGASA) and this means qualified guides can legally register as such with the government. “Whilst the team was on the water this week, they sighted all three whale species – a southern right mother and calf, a breaching humpback whale, and a Bryde’s whale,” says Wilfred. “Humpback dolphins were seen near the estuary mouth, and there was some Shy albatross not too far from shore.” Daily monitoring of marine species forms part of DICT’s research and the team has published close on 30 scientific articles. ‘’We have become the voice for white sharks, and if we are not on the sea, we essentially have no idea how they are doing,” adds Wilfred. “There is no reason why, with all health protocols observed and fewer people on board, we cannot start operating, but it seems we will have to be patient for now.”
